Community Magazine September 2011

ADHA? The article by David Mizrahi last month about the trials, tribulations and potential of ADHD children was a masterful introduction for parents (like me) who are stressed-out about having a very young child who seems so bright, yet so chaotic. It’s particularly comforting to know that many practitioners are opposed to instinctively medicate every child – and at the same time, that medicating properly can produce excellent results. Finally, I think that the idea that this personality trait can be used as an advantage is very encouraging and I will begin to use your title for describing my son’s “gift” – hyperactive advantage. Danny H. BET DIN ARTICLE APPRECIATION Your magazine is always chock-full of interesting things, specifically in ruhniyut (spirituality). Last month, I found the Files of the Bet Din article to have been written very well, and I'm looking forward to more. Keep it up. Yehoshua Saks A MOTHER’S DUTY Firstly, I’d like to stress that the Ask Sito column has always been a favorite of mine. I can hardly wait to read it every month! There are, however, two comments I’d like to make regarding last month’s (August 2011) “Ask Sito.” The first is to the wife who has succeeded in emasculating her husband over a ten-year marriage. I want to tell her that a sweet, agreeable husband is no doubt preferable to an overbearing, controlling one. Her husband is a gift from Hashem whom she should be thankful for every day. And I’m with Sito 100 percent – this is a deep-rooted problem that will take work! Best of luck to you. As for the second portion, from the “hungry” child, I believe there is a hint of bias in Sito’s response. True, it does help when a child sees his mother’s assistance in life as hesed . But I believe that it is most certainly a mother’s responsibility to see to it that her school-age children have a prepared meal to eat! Regardless of age, a child has so many other things he/ she is dealing with during their adolescent years: schoolwork, homework, peer pressure, growing up, figuring him/herself out. A child should never be responsible to cook dinner himself or starve! There is a loving mother in this picture, not a working mother, and not an ill mother, haas veshalom . A mother who is busy with charity for the community and playing cards? How many times have we been told that hesed starts at home ? That a mother’s obligation is to her own family first and foremost? That the hesed of a mother is caring for her children? We’ve heard this over and over so many times, to the point that it's almost a cliché! Sito did not so much as mention this concept. Yes, time and attention are important, but food is basic and should be provided by a mother who is capable. If you are a mother who is busy during the week – fine, put a pot of pasta on the fire and leave your child a note to show you care and are thinking of him/her. E. L. A CANDIDATE FOR IMMORALITY I’d like to comment on the article printed in August 2011 issue, page 78 [Community Chest], “Jewish Group Expresses Concern Over 9 th District Congressional Candidate.” From what I understand, Congressional candidate David Weprin is saying that supporting a redefinition of marriage is not a religious issue, but a legal issue. Well, if Mr. David Weprin was really an orthodox Jew as he claimed to be, he would know that Hashem, the Creator of the world, gave us one Torah that defines marriage clearly as being between a man and a woman. This rule is not specific to Jews and no man on earth has the right to change the rules defined by our Creator. I also believe that many of the recent tragedies befalling the world are a wakeup call, warning us about the dangers of growing immorality. Immoral lifestyles, reminiscent of the biblical Sedom and Amora are clearly against the will of Gd, and one who facilitates such arrangements is an opponent of Hashem’s Torah. T. M. LETTERS WE'D LOVE TOHEAR FROMYOU! WRITE US A LETTER Letters submitted become the property of Community Magazine and will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Letters may be edited and revised for length, style and grammar before publication. All submissions are considered for publication unless otherwise requested. Preferential consideration is given to brief comments and insights that relate directly to published content. EMAIL: letters@Community M .com WEB: www. Community M .com MAIL: COMMUNITYMAGAZINE 1616 OCEAN PKWY BROOKLYN, NY 11223 FAX: 718-504-4246 10 Community magazine